Reno man convicted in meth trafficking conspiracy

RENO, Nev. (News 4 & Fox 11) — A Reno resident is convicted in connection to a drug trafficking conspiracy in the Reno and Sparks area, on Thursday, November 8.

According to the Department of Justice, a jury convicted 53-year-old Edward Smith, of conspiracy to possess and distribute at least 50 grams of methamphetamine, illegal use of a communication facility, money laundering, distribution of at least 50 grams of methamphetamine, and distribution of at least five grams of methamphetamine.

At trial it revealed, Smith, who is an inmate at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center, arranged for his daughter’s ex-boyfriend, whom he referred to as his “nephew,” to sell methamphetamine to another inmate’s associate in the Reno community at a premium price through recorded prison calls. His nephew distributed methamphetamine to the associate in Sparks, Nevada, with the last sale involving a pound of methamphetamine for $7,000.

The case also shows that Smith discussed how to get methamphetamine to him in the prison and arranged a $1,500 wire transfer in another person’s name in order to facilitate that deal.

United States District Judge Howard D. McKibben scheduled a sentencing for Smith on February 6, 2019.